Amazing things pop out of the ground locally
This report began as a small testament to the local growers of flowers and produce. It quickly became a wonderful journey of discovery, uncovering agricultural and horticultural delights that are surprisingly abundant for a small town – and the earth-loving people who make it all happen.
Discovered along the way were, just to mention a few strange and wonderful things, wild bergamot, claytonia, spotted bee balm, asian greens, hellebores, white pumpkins, the occasional angora rabbit and even a bearded dragon lizard! Read on for details.
A note about photos: the collage of photos printed here represent but a fraction of all the things that grow at the establishments mentioned and are shown without specific caption or attribution intentionally. You want to find out more? Go explore!
What follows is this author’s summary of local “growing” establishments. Every attempt was made to avoid leaving anyone out, however, should that have occured, please contact The Hinesburg Record. We’d love to hear about you!
Needham Family Farm – 186 Boutin Rd., Hinesburg, 802-777-4439. Offering a variety of local organic foods via a unique farm share system that lets you choose what you want. Options include organically grown veggies, fruits, pastured eggs, chicken and lamb, honey, maple, preserves, cut flowers and prepared foods, and maybe even a bearded dragon lizard (not for sale)! More at facebook.com/needhamfamilyfarm.
Trillium Hill Farm – 10643 Route 116, Hinesburg, 802- 473-259. James, Sara, and daughter Ruby are the farmer-owners. They have a small but mighty farm crew of wonderful people who are invested in the work. The land has been in James’ family since 1801. They are honored and proud to be farming this land and growing food for our community. They consider themselves a community farm, and invite your ideas and input, and encourage you to come take a walk on their beautiful land. More at trilliumhill-farm.com.
Full Moon Farm – 2083 Gilman Rd., Hinesburg, 802-482-2199. Everything grown at Full Moon Farm is certified organic. You never have to worry that your fruits or vegetables have been treated with toxic herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides. It was grown in such a manner as to protect the earth we walk on, the water we drink and the critters we share the planet with. Also, English angora rabbits (not for sale or eating!) abound at Full Moon Farm. More at fullmoon-farminc.com.
Red Wagon Plants – 2408 Shelburne Falls Rd., 802-482-4060. An integral part of growing the healthiest, happiest plants possible for Vermonters’ kitchen gardens is growing healthy and happy human members of Team Red Wagon. For all of its fifteen years, Red Wagon Plants has worked hard to create a workplace that is full of vibrant energy. The plants absorb the love and positivity that the staff brings to them and to each other every season. Respect for and cultivation of Team Red Wagon is an inextricable and beautiful part of the growing process and of the business itself. More at redwagonplants.com.
Fox Run Flowers – 2041 Shelburne Falls Rd., Hinesburg, 802-482-2698. Fresh flowers brighten most everyone’s day. That’s why Fox Run Flowers was started many years ago and continues today. Freshly made bouquets are available at the self-service table on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or by chance or appointment. Many bouquets feature hellebores, peonies, hydrangeas, snapdragons, dahlias, zinnias, and beautiful, unusual greens.
Bird and Bee Native Plants – 415 Brown’s Trace Road, Jericho, 802-355-2879 Obviously, we are not in Hinesburg here anymore, Toto! But nursery owner Tobi Schulman grew up in Hinesburg and is well connected to the local “growing” community. Her new nursery in Jericho will be offering hard to find native wildflowers to the public beginning on Saturday, May 27. Says Tobi, “I want to offer a wide range of native flowers that will be beautiful in the garden and also serve a critical ecological function. There are many bird and pollinator insect species which rely on native plants to thrive, and we as gardeners need to help them.” Tobi is a Certified Horticulturist and studied plant and soil science at UVM. To learn more and see the varieties that she will be offering, check out Bird and Bee Native Plants at www.birdandbeeplants.com.
Pleasant Mount Farm – 4501 Main Rd., Huntington, 802-434-2690. This article would not be complete without mention of Pleasant Mount Farm, a long-time advertiser for and supporter of The Hinesburg Record. Northern Vermont’s first retail greenhouse (since 1992) using Certified Organic potting soil, and all management practices that meet organic standards, Pleasant Mount Farm is committed to providing safe (chemical-free), beautiful plants to local gardeners. Pleasant Mount Farm has an unsurpassed variety of vegetable plants. Many are heirloom varieties – old favorites like Early Jersey Wakefield, Ruby Giant, Rutgers, Italian Flat Leaf … And many are new strains with disease-resistance (Late Blight Resistant!) or characteristics that keep them from bolting or developing a bitter taste – the Mountain series, Calypso cilantro. More at pleasantmountfarm.com.
Rock Meadow Farm – Hinesburg and Huntington, 802-482-2247. Rock Meadow Farm is owned and operated by Betsy Orvis, a native Vermonter whose roots run deep in the hills of South Starksboro. Since its inception, Rock Meadow Farm has outgrown the Hinesburg gardens and greenhouse space and in 2018 began growing flowers in the dreamiest river bottom soil at Jubilee Farm, located in Huntington Center. Rock Meadow Farm grows the freshest and finest blooms of the season, with a casual, fresh from the garden flair, from bouquets to boutonnieres, to DIY buckets of mixed flowers and foliage for your arranging pleasure. More at rockmeadowvt.com.
Rounding out our collection of amazing growers are those “just over the line” in surrounding communities. These include Isham Family Farm in Richmond, Cobble Creek Nursery in Lincoln, and Full Belly Farm in Monkton.